MOVE IS NOT IN THE BAG

DEREK McINNES last night shot down suggestions he’s ready to jump ship for West Brom – as his sights are on securing Aberdeen’s place as Scotland’s second force.

The Dons boss took a huge step in the race to be best of the rest with a battling 2-0 win at Motherwell to move three points clear of Rangers with six games to go.

Ex-Baggies ace McInnes has been linked with the Hawthorns gig after Alan Pardew was axed. But the Pittodrie gaffer slammed the speculation and insisted he does not want a repeat of the sagas he suffered when approached by Sunderland and Rangers earlier in the season.

McInnes said: “Listen, I’ve had enough of this over my time here about being linked and it’s an easy link to make and assume.

“It is only a rumour and I’m not wanting to spend the next six or seven weeks talking about speculation.

“My job’s at Aberdeen and we have a lot to look forward to this season.”

McInnes watched his men lay down a Scottish Cup marker ahead of the Scottish Cup semi-final clash with the Steelmen next weekend.

But he admitted his men are determined to fight off Rangers and Hibs and claim second spot for the fourth year on the spin.

McInnes said: “We are confident. Regardless of what’s happened up until now, people remember how you finish the season rather than how you start.

“We’ve usually secured Europe and second spot by now but it’s going to be a real challenge.

“Hibs are doing brilliant, Rangers have some very good players and you’d expect after what they’ve spent they should be at least closest to Celtic.

“It’s important to us to finish second. We’re proud of the fact we’ve done it over the past few seasons.”

Defeat condemned Well to a bottom-six finish but boss Stephen Robinson warned the Dons to expect a tougher test at Hampden.

He said: “The semi-final is a different game. But we have to rectify losing goals from set-pieces. It was young players who made the mistakes and they have to learn from this.”